Abstract

This research probes the symbolic meaning of the Korkyt Ata Complex aimed at understanding the cultural and spiritual life of the ancient Turkic people. Perhaps, this is the first instance when the semiotic analysis technique has been applied to studying the Korkyt Ata Complex in a broader context of Kazakh culture. Thus, the research is an attempt to reveal its symbolic cultural significance to the Kazakh society using a semiotic methodology as the basis to study the cultural monuments. The role of the Korkyt Ata memorial in the formation of ancient Turkic civilisation was considered from a socio-cultural and philosophical perspective. The symbolic elements of the culturally bound worldview that were depicted in the Korkyt Ata memorial were analysed via the methodological bases of symbolic representations. The symbolic side of the memorial was defined in spiritual, cultural and worldview spheres. The Complex, its external sides specifically, underwent a semiotic analysis to accomplish the above-mentioned objectives.